Sand-box



(No Model.)

I. H. STUART. SAND BOX.

No. 587,462. Patented Aug. 3,1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

FRANK H. STUART, OF ST. J OHNSBURY, VERMONT.

SAN D-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 587,462, dated August3, 1897.

Application filed November 23, 1896.. Serial No. 613 ,221. (No model.) I

TOJLZZ whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK H. STUART, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain, residing at St. Johnsbury, in the county of Caledonia and Stateof Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSand-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention,such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus for sanding car-tracks, and isparticularly designed for use upon street-cars, the object being toprovide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient device by means of whichthe motorman may by a simple pressure of his foot distribute sandsimultaneously upon both rails in advance of the traction-wheels, thedevice being extremely compact in its arrangement and being for thegreater part concealed from view.

To this end theinvention consists-in certain novel features and detailsof construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fullydescribed, illustrated in the drawings, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a car,showing the improved apparatus in full and dotted lines as appliedthereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional perspective view showing theseveral parts of the apparatus in their operative relation.

Similar numerals designate corresponding partsin the figures of thedrawings.

The improved apparatus contemplated in this invention comprises,essentially, a pair of sand-boxes 1, which may be conveniently arrangedwithin the car-body and above the floor thereof, as shown in Fig. 1.These boxes are arranged upon opposite sides of the carbody andpreferably at points immediately over the rails. The said boxes are alsoprovided with inverted conical bottoms 2, tapering to a common centralpoint, at which they communicate with downwardlyextending tubularconductors or pipes 3, the lower ends of which may, if desired, becurved and move immediately over the rails 4 just'in advance of thetraction-wheels, as shown in Fig. 1. Intermediate the ends of each pipe3 is an en- 6, the stem of which extends through the easing and isprovided with a crank 7.

The cranks 7 are arranged to incline one forward and the other backward,as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and from said cranks valverods 8 extendtoward the end of the car, connecting pivotally at their ends with theopposite ends of a centrally or intermediately pivoted lever 9,fulcrumed on a depending post 10, secured to the under side of thecar-platform 11. At one side of its center the lever 9 is provided witha laterally-projecting ear 12, to which is pivotally connected one endof a connecting-rod 13, the opposite end of which connects pivotallywith one arm of the elbowlever 14, fulcrumed in a depending bracket 15,secured beneath the car-platform. To the opposite end of said lever ispivotally connected a plunger 16, which extends upward through anopening 17 in the car-platform and also through the bearing bracket orguide 18, secured beneath said platform. Upon the upper end of theplunger 16 is removablyfitted a presser-foot 19, which is adapted to bedepressed by the motormans foot for throwing the mechanism hereinbeforedescribed into operation.

20 designates a leaf-spring secured to the under side of the platform atone end and bearing at is free end against the elbow-lever 14 forreturning the parts to their normal position after they have been movedby the pressure of the motormans foot.

In operation the motorman bears upon the presser-foot 19, thus movingthe plunger 16 downward and rocking the elbow-lever 14 on its fulcrum.This pulls upon the connectingrod 13 and rocks the lever 9 upon itsfulcrum, one end of said levermoving forward and the other end backward.This operates the valve rods 8 and moves the crank 7 of one valverearward, while at the same time moving the crank of the opposing valveforward. By reason of the particular arrangement of the valves thismovement serves to open both of the valves, thus allowing the sand fromthe boxes 1 to pass downward through the pipes 3 and be deposited uponthe heads of the rails as the car moves thereover. The constructionabove described is very simple, compact, and convenient, is not liableto get out of order, and

larged casing 5, in which is arranged a valve 1 does not interfere withthe appearance of the ICC car, it being practically concealed within thecar and under the platform thereof. In dry weather, when the device isnot needed, the Presser-foot 19 may be removed from the plunger 10, thusleaving no obstruction on the car-platform.

It will be apparent that various changes in the form, proportion, andminor details of construction may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Thecombination with spaced sand-boxes, and pipes for conducting sandtherefrom to the rails, of valves for opening and closing said pipes, alever fulcrumed intermediate its ends, connections between the ends ofsaid lever and cranks on the valves, a 'presserfoot, and connectionbetween said presser-foot and lever, substantially as described.

2. The combination with spaced sand-boxes, and pipes for conducting sandtherefrom to the rails, of Valves for opening and closing said pipes,having reverse1y-disposed operating-cranks, a leverfulcru medintermediate its ends, connections between the ends of said lever andsaid cranks, a presser-foot adapted to be actuated by the foot of theoperator, and connections between said presser-foot and lever, allarranged substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination with a car,of sand-boXes arranged within the same andprovided with pipes leading through the bottom of the car to pointsimmediately over the rails and in advance of the traction-wheels, valvesfor opening and closing said pipes, a lever fulcrumed intermediate itsends and operatively connected to said valves for simultaneouslyoperating them, an elbow-lever f ulcru med beneath the car-platform, aconnection between said elbow-lever and valve-operating lever, adepressible plunger connected to said elbowlever and extending throughthe car-platform, and a spring bearing against said elbow-lever forreturning the same to its normal position and closing the valves, allarranged for joint operation, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

FRANK II. STUART.

\Vitnesses:

W. II. SARGENT, E. A. STUART.

